Plumber Salary

Petaluma vs Sacramento: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Petaluma, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Petaluma, CA
$65,696
$31.59/hr
Sacramento, CA
$66,853
$32.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPetaluma, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$65,696$66,853
Hourly Rate$31.59$32.14
Entry Level (P10)$47,324$47,795
25th Percentile$52,587$57,739
75th Percentile$84,091$87,491
Top Earner (P90)$101,829$134,404
Total Employed123,120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Petaluma ($65,696) and Sacramento ($66,853) plumber salaries.PetalumaSacramentoMedian Salary$65,696$66,853Entry Level (P10)$47,324$47,795Top Earner (P90)$101,829$134,404US Median $65,408

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Petaluma.

The salary gap between Petaluma and Sacramento is $1,157 (1.76%). Sacramento's median is +2.21% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Petaluma spans $54,505,Sacramento spans $86,609. Sacramento has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Petaluma
P10 (Entry)$47,324
P25$52,587
Median$65,696
P75$84,091
P90 (Top)$101,829
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$47,795
P25$57,739
Median$66,853
P75$87,491
P90 (Top)$134,404

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($62,673 effective) pays 7.90% more than Petaluma ($58,087 effective).

Petaluma
Nominal: $65,696
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $58,087
Sacramento
Nominal: $66,853
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $62,673

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Petaluma if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,853/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,404)
  • Larger job market (3,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,673)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Petaluma grew -29.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.4% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Petaluma, CA

+-29.5%

$90,937 (2024) → $64,081 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+13.4%

$57,480 (2019) → $65,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Petaluma or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median plumber salary at $66,853/year, compared to Petaluma at $65,696/year — a difference of $1,157 (1.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Petaluma and Sacramento?

Petaluma plumbers earn $31.59/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $32.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Petaluma to Sacramento as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Petaluma and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Petaluma = $58,087, Sacramento = $62,673), job availability (12 vs 3,120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Petaluma vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $47,324 in Petaluma and $47,795 in Sacramento. The Sacramento area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov